Masterclass in abhinaya, the art of emoting, for advanced level dancers of any Indian classical dance style. Participants must have 6+ years of training in any style of classical Indian dance. Dr. Prasad will lead participants through excerpts from two or three different compositions, as tools to explore abhinaya - not merely as a means for observable storytelling but as a way to feel and embody various emotional textures and subtleties. Going beyond enacting or performing a character, this class will help dancers develop their own methods for cultivating presence and a deeper investigation of emotion through their dancing body that is genuine, authentic and reflective of their own lived experiences.



This two day class will be held at The Dance Complex in Cambridge. Tickets are $160. A limited number of discounted tickets are available for $80 for student/EBT/WIC cardholders.



Sunday, October 5th @ 10am-12pm

Studio 2



Monday, October 6th @ 7:30pm-9:30pm

Studio 6



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Dr. Neena Prasad is regarded as the leading figure among contemporary performers of Mohiniyattam, classical dance from the Southwestern state of Kerala in India. Possessing a unique combination of the refined artistic sensibility of a performer and a strong academic background in dance theory, Dr. Prasad is both a masterful performer and an adept choreographer. She has performed extensively across India and internationally, showcasing solo repertoire alongside ensemble and thematic productions. Her contributions to Mohiniyattam have significantly enhanced its existing movement vocabulary, resulting in the development of a distinct style or tradition within its broader context. In 2021, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy dedicated to the performing arts, honored her with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for her contributions to the art of Mohiniyattam. Among her numerous accolades, she also received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 2007, as well as the prestigious Nritya Choodamani Award from the Madras Music Academy in 2024.



Dr. Prasad’s foundational training includes Mohiniyattam under Guru Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi and Guru Kalamandalam Kshemavathi, Bharatanatyam under Guru Adayar K Lakshman, Kuchipudi under Guru Vempati Chinnasatyam, and Kathakali under Guru Vembayam Appukuttan Pillai. Dr. Prasad’s extensive body of choreographic work and her prowess in abhinaya draws from her exhaustive training in all these forms.



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About Samvād

Samvād is a forum for professional artists and committed practitioners of classical Indian dance and music in the Greater Boston area to come together to converse, evaluate and reflect in an informal environment. Samvād invites critical discussions on aesthetic values and artistic goals, and provides an inclusive space for artists who seek a creative community. Samvād encourages sharing of one's creative process in an educational space, outside the framework of formal presentations and collaborative performances. Samvād School of Skills is an educational initiative by Samvād, that offers learning opportunities for professional development for dancers, both within and outside the dance studio.